GLOSSARY

 

Alluvium -Clay, silt, sand, gravel, or similar detrital material deposited by running  

                  water

 

Anthodite-Gypsum clusters that radiate from a central point and are relatively rare. Probably formed when the cave was filled with water.

 

Cave coral or popcorn-Irregular clusters of calcium carbonate that build up on walls of existing formations.

 

Cave flowers-Speleothem with radiating petals from a central location. Flower petals will tend to curve if flow rate changes.

 

Chertification-The process of converting carbonate sediments into chert

 

Columns-Forms when a stalactite and a stalagmite grow together and from one structure. Also can occur when one grows to the ceiling or the ground.

 

Commercial caves--Open to the public with a guided tour

 

Diagenetic-The recombination or rearrangement of constituents (as of a chemical or   mineral) resulting in a new product

 

Dissolution-The chemical process of dissolving

 

Dolomitization-The chemical process of  converting to dolomite

 

Drapery-Calcite-rich solutions that flow from a ceiling and slowly migrate

               downward

 

Flowstone-Sheet-like or ice flow-like speleothem formed by films of moving water

 

Forbs-Herbaceous plant other than grass, sedge, or rush

 

Galena-A bluish gray mineral with metallic luster consisting of lead sulfide, showing highly perfect cubic cleavage, and constituting the principal ore of lead

 

Loess- An unstratified usu. buff to yellowish brown loamy deposit found in North America, Europe, and Asia and believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind

 

Network-Cave passages develop in a maze pattern

 

Helictite-Depositional speleothem that has been contorted and formed from calcite in various shapes and sizes

 

Karst-An irregular limestone region with sinks, underground streams, and caverns

 

Savanna-Referring to open woodlands with well-developed grass cover usually with the shrub layer poorly developed

 

Speleology ñ The study of caves

 

Speleothems-Cave formations that are formed by the deposition of minerals. The word speleothems is derived from Greek words spelaion meaning cave and thema meaning deposit.

 

Stalactites-Grow from the walls or roofs and form as mineral layers are formed from water flow. They look like large icicles, but some look like soda straws.

 

Stalagmites-Grow up from the bottom of a cave due to dripping water from above. They look like upside down icicles and are usually found beneath stalactites.